Royal Melbourne Golf Club -
www.rmgc.com.auProbably needs no introduction. 36 hole complex which features Australia's best two courses, the West designed by Alistair MacKenzie and the East designed by Alex Russell. The website also shows the composite course layout (both the pre'98 routing and the current Heineken routing).
Kingston Heath -
www.kingstonheath.com.auOutstanding golf course which is always in immaculate condition. Designed/routed by Dan Soutar but MacKenzie and Morcom worked their magic in the bunkering which helps make this course what it is. Hosted numerous Australian Opens and now is the host of regional qualifying for the British Open.
Victoria Golf Club -
www.victoriagolf.com.auAcross the road from Royal Melbourne and suffers little in comparison. Also benefits from MacKenzie's input. More recently Mike Clayton has used old aerial photographs to restore some holes to their former glory.
Yarra Yarra Golf Club -
www.yarrayarra.com.auDesigned by Alex Russell, Yarra Yarra is well known for its collection of fine par threes, the 11th being as good as anything in Australia.
Commonwealth Golf Club -
www.commonwealthgolf.com.auCommonwealth was listed by Tom Doak in the Confidential Guide as one of his gourmet choices. Probably the most talked about Sandbelt course on GCA (do a forum search and find out why) but a fantastic layout and a must-play for design enthusiasts.
Metropolitan Golf Club -
www.metropolitangolf.com.auThe second oldest club on the Sandbelt, Metropolitan has hosted many Australian Opens and in 2001 was host to the Accenture World Matchplay. The course was designed by JB MacKenzie with improvements made by a more famous MacKenzie on his trip to Melbourne. Much of the back nine was redesigned by Dick Wilson in 1958 when some of the land made way for a new school. While the new holes have not quite recaptured the brilliance of the old, the course is still one of the finest in Melbourne.
Huntingdale Golf Club -
www.huntingdalegolf.com.auHome of the Australian Masters. The course was designed by Charles Alison at his home in England. It has recently undergone changes by the now defunct Newton Grant Spencer.
Woodlands Golf Club -
www.woodlandsgolf.com.auThe most underrated course in Australia. This is probably due to its low key approach and slightly more "remote" location on the Sandbelt. Recently hosted the 2004 Victorian Open. A high quality design which is somewhat tighter than most on the Sandbelt and with smallish greens.
Spring Valley Golf Club -
www.springvalleygolf.com.auAnother underrated course, Spring Valley was once described as "Melbourne's least known best course". The best design of Vern Morcom, son of Royal Melbourne's legendary bunker builder, Mick Morcom. Recent improvements have been carried out by Mike Clayton, who makes comments on the website's course tour. The club now boasts one of the newest and best clubhouses on the Sandbelt.
Kingswood Golf Club-
www.kingswoodgc.com.auKingswood was originally designed by M.A. Morcom and Son. There have been numerous course alterations over the years and very little of the original layout now exists. The club has a rich history and has produced some of the State's most accomplished amateur golfers.
Southern Golf Club -
www.southerngolfclub.com.auSouthern is one of the lesser known Sandbelt layouts. Parts of the original course across the road were acquired by the water board around 30 years ago and the new holes were built to the south of the remaining originals. Another club with a brand new clubhouse.
Keysborough Golf Club -
www.keysboroughgolf.com.auKeysborough has an interesting history which began over 100 years ago but has seen it almost disappear from existence at several points. The current course was designed by Sam Berriman (whose best designs are probably here and at Horsham).
Capital Golf Course
Golf course privately owned by millionaire businessman, Lloyd Williams. No website and only open to friends and business associates of Mr Williams. Designed by Thomson Wolveridge & Perrett and Lloyd Williams.
Peninsula Country Golf Club -
www.peninsulagolf.com.auPeninsula has a 36-hole complex and both its courses are highly regarded. Originally the South course was considered to be the better of the two but Mike Clayton's work on the North course has elevated it to new heights. Clayton is now making alterations to the South.
Long Island Country Club -
www.longislandgolf.com.auDesigned in the mid 1930s by Gordon Oliver after a failed bid to get Alex Russell who could not spare the time. Another lesser known layout which boasts some fine holes.
Sandhurst Club -
www.sandhurst.comThe Sandbelt's newest addition. This is a residential development with a 36 hole golf complex. The North course is due to open soon. Designed by Thomson Wolveridge & Perrett, the design is meant to draw on traditional links elements in an Australian setting (I don't know how this will work as it's 5km from the sea). It will be interesting to see how this course integrates with more established layouts.